Lizzie Borden Trial Essay

Held in New Bedford, Massachusetts, the trial of Lizzie Borden contained many suspicious, unusual, and debatable reactions and pieces of evidence, causing the jury to decide on an unlikely verdict of not guilty (Berni 34). From the start, Lizzie Borden provided many inconsistent facts about the murders (Hazell). One example of Lizzie Borden’s changing story relates to the note her stepmother allegedly received prior to her murder. When asked for proof of the letter, Lizzie concluded that she had disposed of it. Ms. Borden’s suspicious stories also included the burning of a dress “stained by paint” and the eating of pears in a barn outside the home on the hottest summer day (Stuart). The unusual tales from Lizzie Borden sparked the beginning of public suspicion in Fall

Furthermore, Lizzie’s emotional reactions during the trial, compared to the maid’s, provided another reason for suspicion. Prior to the trial, Lizzie Borden appeared emotionally unharmed by the recent murders of her family members, while Bridget Sullivan seemed distressed and tense (Berni 40). The community widely accepted Ms. Sullivan’s reaction as an accurate and understandable response; however, the public second-guessed Lizzie Borden’s reactions. Almost as a response to public opinion, the behaviors of both women switched as the trial began. Lizzie Borden began showing remorse and many uncontrollable outbursts. Bridget Sullivan maintained a sophisticated composure during court (Berni 40). This sudden change in emotional behavior gained negative attention for both Bridget and Lizzie, yet Lizzie’s transformation seemed forced